Spring 2009 Massachusetts College Personnel Association Upcoming Events • Thursday, June 4 – CoffeeTalk #4 @ WPI • Drive In Conference, October 23, 2009, TBA Inside this issue: A Message from the MCPA President: 1 & 3 Information on CoffeeTalk #4 2 Sustainability Institute 3 “ACPA Convention 2009: A First-Timer’s Experience” 4 Summer Reads 5 Membership Updates 5 “Providing Good Company” 6 Election Results 7 I sought out to write my final article for The Nexus about the amazing accomplishments we achieved this year as an organization, for without the support and dedication of our Executive Board, I do not know how we could have achieved all we did. However, with the recent events of my life, I thought it more appropriate for us to take this moment in time to celebrate not only the accomplishments of one organization but to celebrate life and the importance of those around us. You see, every Thursday night (or Friday night thanks to DVR), I sit glued to the TV as I watch the drama that is Grey’s Anatomy unfold before me. Every episode causes at least one tear to fall down my cheek and one gasp to escape my lips. The show captivates me, as I feel that these characters are a part of my life. As I sit and watch McDreamy, McSteamy, Meredith and Yang save lives I rarely think that I could ever experience something so traumatic and sad. The sorrow I watch weekly, while scripted and acted, is hard to bear. How can people experience such tragedy? That is what I thought until one recent Sunday night when my father-in-law called the house phone. “I bet, he is calling to talk about the game,” said my husband. But during the first few moments of the conversation, I could tell that the call had nothing to do with the Celtics. Rather, my father-in-law was calling to tell us the news that a cousin had suffered “serious brain injuries” as the result of a fatal car accident. “Serious brain injuries?” -- that must mean the team of doctors from Seattle Grace were on their way to once again save a life, The Nexus Celebrating Us. Celebrating Life. By Mary Wegmann, MCPA President right? Unfortunately for my husband’s family and his 19-year old cousin, there was no Dr. McDreamy or Meredith, and my husband’s family would have to say goodbye to a beautiful young man who had touched so many lives in such a short time. During the sermon at Ryan’s service, the Pastor told the story of how in only 19 years, Ryan had become something of a living testament to friends and family and had motivated those around him to grow in their faith and share this with others. Even through his death, he gave the gift of life to four unexpecting families. You see, Ryan had identified himself as an organ donor, and in a selfless act, his parents honored these wishes. His legacy lives on in these people. I know you are thinking, “Mary, this is not the most uplifting article. How are we to find inspiration from this?” Let me try to explain. I write about Ryan not to make us all sad, but to make us all remember the precious and brief nature of life and to give us a moment to celebrate not only Ryan’s life, but also the life of all college students who have a similar story. From their stories, we can share/celebrate their legacy and we can learn some valuable life lessons -- Seize the day, as we may not have “later” or “tomorrow” to do or say something; follow our hearts; wish people a “Happy Birthday”; send an email for no reason other than to say “hi”; send snail-mail greeting cards; love completely and fully. I’ve tried to spend much of this year highlighting the importance of us working with the mantra of intentional and purposeful. But have we talked about the idea of making our personal lives intentional and purposeful as well? (con’t on page 3) Could You Be the Host with the Most? MCPA is already planning for our Annual Drive-In Conference, and we are looking for a fantastic site to host this year’s event! The event is scheduled for Friday, October 23 rd , and we hope that you will consider hosting this year’s conference on your campus! If you are interested, please contact Jen Casavant at [email protected]for a bid form. Bids are due by June 26th.
Transcript
Spring 2009 Massachusetts College Personnel Association
Upcoming Events • Thursday, June 4 –
CoffeeTalk #4 @ WPI
• Drive In Conference, October 23, 2009, TBA
Inside this issue: A Message from the MCPA President: 1 & 3 Information on CoffeeTalk #4 2 Sustainability Institute 3 “ACPA Convention 2009: A First-Timer’s Experience” 4 Summer Reads 5 Membership Updates 5 “Providing Good Company” 6 Election Results 7
I sought out to write my final article for The Nexus about the amazing accomplishments we achieved this year as an organization, for without the support and dedication of our Executive Board, I do not know how we could have achieved all we did. However, with the recent events of my life, I thought it more appropriate for us to take this moment in time to celebrate not only the accomplishments of one organization but to celebrate life and the importance of those around us. You see, every Thursday night (or Friday night thanks to DVR), I sit glued to the TV as I watch the drama that is Grey’s Anatomy unfold before me. Every episode causes at least one tear to fall down my cheek and one gasp to escape my lips. The show captivates me, as I feel that these characters are a part of my life. As I sit and watch McDreamy, McSteamy, Meredith and Yang save lives I rarely think that I could ever experience something so traumatic and sad. The sorrow I watch weekly, while scripted and acted, is hard to bear. How can people experience such tragedy? That is what I thought until one recent Sunday night when my father-in-law called the house phone. “I bet, he is calling to talk about the game,” said my husband. But during the first few moments of the conversation, I could tell that the call had nothing to do with the Celtics. Rather, my father-in-law was calling to tell us the news that a cousin had suffered “serious brain injuries” as the result of a fatal car accident. “Serious brain injuries?” -- that must mean the team of doctors from Seattle Grace were on their way to once again save a life,
The Nexus
Celebrating Us. Celebrating Life. By Mary Wegmann, MCPA President
right? Unfortunately for my husband’s family and his 19-year old cousin, there was no Dr. McDreamy or Meredith, and my husband’s family would have to say goodbye to a beautiful young man who had touched so many lives in such a short time. During the sermon at Ryan’s service, the Pastor told the story of how in only 19 years, Ryan had become something of a living testament to friends and family and had motivated those around him to grow in their faith and share this with others. Even through his death, he gave the gift of life to four unexpecting families. You see, Ryan had identified himself as an organ donor, and in a selfless act, his parents honored these wishes. His legacy lives on in these people. I know you are thinking, “Mary, this is not the most uplifting article. How are we to find inspiration from this?” Let me try to explain. I write about Ryan not to make us all sad, but to make us all remember the precious and brief nature of life and to give us a moment to celebrate not only Ryan’s life, but also the life of all college students who have a similar story. From their stories, we can share/celebrate their legacy and we can learn some valuable life lessons -- Seize the day, as we may not have “later” or “tomorrow” to do or say something; follow our hearts; wish people a “Happy Birthday”; send an email for no reason other than to say “hi”; send snail-mail greeting cards; love completely and fully. I’ve tried to spend much of this year highlighting the importance of us working with the mantra of intentional and purposeful. But have we talked about the idea of making our personal lives intentional and purposeful as well?
(con’t on page 3)
Could You Be the Host with the Most?
MCPA is already planning for our Annual Drive-In Conference, and we are looking for a fantastic site to host this year’s event! The event is scheduled for Friday, October 23rd, and we hope that you will consider hosting this year’s conference on your campus! If
you are interested, please contact Jen Casavant at [email protected] for a bid form. Bids are due by June 26th.
Use this opportunity to say “Thank You” to your Administrative Assistant(s).
Wise managers know that they can only accomplish their day-to-day tasks with the help of
Administrative Assistant colleagues. Let’s face it….they help us be successful, keep us on-time, and maintain our sanity. Yet, how often do we talk with them about what they want to accomplish with
their professional career?
MCPA’s Coffee Talk # 4 may very well be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!
Join us for the last CoffeeTalk of 2008-2009
TOPIC & PRESENTERS
Opening Presentation: Our Millennial Students
--Sharon Wulf, Visiting Professor,
WPI Breakout Sessions: Getting the Most Pleasure Out of Your Job
--Sara Sandstrom, Smith College
Managing Bosses
--Jennifer Casavant and Kate Tippo,
Bentley University Balancing Priorities
--Shelley Errington Nicholson
Supervision of Students
--Mary Wegmann, Emerson College
Spring 2009 Page 2
(con’t from page 1) Something like Ryan’s unexpected death smacks you in the face to emphasize the fact that we need to integrate intentionality and purposefulness into every facet of our lives. Sure we try not to take life for granted, but how many times do we let life get in the way of life. How many friends have you lost touch with because life gets too busy? How many “Happy Birthdays” have been left unsaid because there wasn’t enough time? Relationships with friends and family, and even colleagues, are important, precious and short, and we need to take the time to nourish them. We need to take time to risk and let people know how we feel about them. So, as I come to a close in my final article as the MCPA President, I hope you take away the following: Love fully and completely. Show and tell others how you feel. Live your personal life with intentionality and purpose. It’s not how long we live, but what we do with the years we have that make a
difference. I feel truly blessed to have served as MCPA President for 2008-2009, and I had more fun than I thought possible.To the individuals I met this year, I truly enjoyed meeting you. To everyone I thank you for giving me your energy and trust. You are all amazing and havesome amazing gifts to share with your campuses and our state. Thank you for doing what you do. Until our paths cross, know that you are loved.
--Mary Wegmann is the Associate Director of Housing Operations at Emerson College, and the President of MCPA
June 11-13, 2009 The second annual ACPA Institute on Sustainability will again bring together students, staff and faculty from colleges and universities across the country who are committed to sustainability. Now, more than ever, it is essential to implement sustainable practices that save money and reduce a campus’ carbon footprint. This Institute will provide participants with the tools necessary to help each campus become more sustainable. The goal of the institute is to provide individuals and institution teams with a plethora of knowledge about sustainability so that they can return to their campuses prepared to contribute to the development of sustainable policies and practices and the education of campus community members. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from some of the leading sustainability scholars and practitioners; explore promising practices from campuses across the country; and develop a framework and actionable goals that can be taken back to campus and integrated into the core of the institution. The ACPA Institute on Sustainability will seek to create education and awareness for sustainability's triple bottom line and sessions will include the following: Renewable Energies Technologies & Funding Creating Regional Consortiums Green Building and Renovation Integrating Sustainability into the Fabric of Campus Assessing Student Learning Sustainability and Student Activism Log on to myacpa.org for more information and to register for the Institute.
“From their stories, we can share/celebrate their legacy and
we can learn some valuable life lessons…”
Spring 2009
Page 3
“Volunteer at Placement.” “Meet as many people as you can.” “Introduce yourself to the presenters.” “Go to as many sessions as possible.” “Don’t go to too many sessions.” These were some of the many words of wisdom, although sometimes conflicting, that I received from a number of colleagues prior to arriving in D.C. for the 2009 ACPA Convention. Upon arriving, I was handed my “novel” of program listings. Thankfully, my supervisor had already spent some time looking over last year’s program with me so the pages upon pages of options weren’t as overwhelming as they could have been. I had a sense of which sessions I wanted to attend, but the most difficult part was finding the balance of how many sessions to go to and how much time to dedicate to Placement while not exhausting myself within the first day. Spending time each night planning outthe next day was a good strategy, but each day I was sure to gauge my energy level and take a break when I needed it.
ACPA Convention 2009: A First-Timer’s Experience By Allison Gagne
Spring 2009 Page 4
works and what doesn’t. After meeting applicants heading to their 14th interview, I knew to limit the number of offers I accept. One of the most original pieces of advice I received was to have a colleague conduct a mock interview in the food court of a shopping mall. In fact, that is exactly what the interview space was reminiscent of. During program sessions, I was comfortable introducing myself to other professionals and was able to create connections. It was during the Showcase and the MCPA Social that I truly had to dig out the extrovert in me. As a representative of the state delegation, I had the opportunity to meet professionals and inform others about all our delegation has to offer. During these two events I realized how true it is that the student affairs world has about six degrees of separation. During the Showcase, I met a professional who knew the Director of Residence Life at my undergraduate institution and my former supervisor. During the social, I was approached by a complete stranger, only to find out I will be working with him for my Practicum. After attending the Convention, I feel that my graduate studies are preparing me for a future in an exciting and influential profession. I look forward to the day when I can walk into a huge gathering and know a number of people there. Having met many new professionals who are positively influencing the future of student affairs, I am confident that I too can have such an influence. I know now that presenting on such a large scale is well within my reach as a new professional. Attending the ACPA Convention as a representative of MCPA truly opened my eyes to the possibilities that lie ahead of meandforthatopportunity, I am truly grateful.
--Allison Gagne is a Graduate Student at UMass Amherst and winner of the MCPA Scholarship to attend ACPA
As a natural introvert, this fast-paced, high-energy convention was more draining than I ever would have thought. Given that “volunteer at Placement” was the most consistent piece of advice I had received, that was one of the first places I stopped. After my first shift in the message center, I was able to see what everyone had been talking about. It was helpful to see what the setup was like as someone who will be going through the interview process next year. In addition, anyone who has volunteered at that station knowsjust how much fun it was. I still could not imagine, however, whatthe actual interview space lookedlike so I signed up to help with thewaiting area the next day. The setup was overwhelming – rows upon rows oftables and interviewers. Thinking about my own process for next year, about my own process for next year, volunteering allowed me to see what
Spring 2009
Page 5
So, it is that time of year again. Commencement has come and gone, Orientation has not yet begun and we are all enjoying some peaceful contemplative moments; well, in an ideal world anyway! I thought it might be nice to suggest some summer reading. I know for myself, this is the best time to catch up on all the great books people have recommended to me throughout the year. I am going to try to include a little bit of everything, professional, leisure, non-fiction, etc. Hopefully everyone will find at least one good read this summer! Professional When it comes to Student Affairs and Higher Education, we are at no shortage for reading material. This year, I read two work related volumes that really spoke to me. These works were both poignant if you are contemplating your next career move or long range career plans. The first book, Where You Work Matters (Hirt), examines the pros and cons of working at various types of institutions. This book is great for anyone in transition or someone in grad school/new professionals who are about to start their higher ed journey! The next book is aimed specifically at women (sorry guys) and is called Roads Taken: Women in Student Affairs at Mid-Career (Renn/Hughes). This volume is filled with personal stories that highlight the career paths of women in higher ed and of course touches on the always-delicate balance of work and family. Also, included in this volume is the debate to doc or not to doc, also including the next level to Ph.D. or Ed.D.
Catching up on the Classics? A Summer Reading Guide “Not To Miss” By Shelley Errington Nicholson
Fiction I LOVE to read. Seriously, I know a lot of people say that, but I read at least 2 books a week during the academic year. So, I could go on and on about books you should read, and of course a few to stay away from as well. Instead I am just going to make the following recommendations and let you weigh their merit on your own: The Time Travelers Wife (Niffenegger); and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Haddon). Non-Fiction This is my favorite genre and recommendations should really be based on your interests. If you are interested in feminism and women’s issues I recommend a re-read of an oldie but goody, The Feminine Mystique (Friedan) which is still very relevant today. If you are looking for some social commentary, anything by Al Franken has me laughing my little Democratic butt of for weeks – caution, if you are a diehard Republican, you might not enjoy that read so much! I have recently become intrigued with food issues and fell in love with The Omnivores Dilemma (Pollan). Some books I will be reading this summer (sorry, no reviews on these yet, but they came highly recommended to me!): Born Digital (Palfrey/Gasser); The Wal-Mart Effect (Fishman); Three Cups of Tea (Mortenson); and I am going to bond with my thirteen year old God-Daughter over the Twilight series! Happy Reading!! P.S. If you have a dark sense of humor, anything by Michael Largo – trust me!
-- Shelley is the President-Elect of MCPA, 2009-2010
Welcome to our new MPCA members!
Aaris Denning, Babson College
Coleen Crawford, Babson College
Laura Franze, New England Institute of Art
Lisa MacDonald, Babson College
Sara Sandstrom, Smith College
Michelle Sciarini, Babson College
Amanda Turnley, Suffolk University
Kevin Tuthill, Babson College
Spring 2009 Page 6
Self authorship, it is a word that has become a part of the student affairs lexicon; but ultimately what is it and how do we encourage it in our students? At the end of the day self authorship boils down to seeing knowledge as based on the situation and context and making meaning, determining the validity and value of that information, taking into account ones own personal belief system and sense of self (Baxter Magolda, 2001). As practioners what does this mean for us? Marcia Baxter Magolda (2001) discusses the journey to self authorship and perhaps our role as practioners is to provide good company. Providing good company to students on their journey to self authorship is not all that different from being a good travel companion. You are both on the same trip; you have baggage and will not remember or experience the trip in the same way. Sharing the Trip We are all on our own journey towards self authorship and perhaps the best place to start in providing good company to our students is to acknowledge that we too are works in progress. We may not be in the same place as our students, but like them we are ever evolving individuals. Providing good company is about shedding the role of the leader and settling in as a companion. Being a companion means mutually constructing meaning from the situations that you and your students encounter. It also means that we have to challenge our students to try new things and consider different perspectives. Baggage We all have baggage, prior experiences, families, friends and
Providing Good Company By Carrie Miller
experiences, families, friends and interest. To provide good company to our students we need to seek to understand what baggage they have brought along for the journey. Listening to our students stories provides us with insight into their experience. When we are more familiar with our student’s experiences and how they make meaning we are better able not only to support our students but to challenge them. Memories and Perceptions Each individual makes meaning differently, including student affairs practitioners, so each traveler on the journey will perceive the trip in their own way. Providing good company is about understanding that there are diverse perspectives but not being afraid to challenge our student’s views. We also have to acknowledge areas in our own lives where we may be struggling or biases that we may have. Having an appreciation for our student’s perspectives and being able to challenge those perspectives helps practitioners be good company along the journey. We cannot create a bulletin board, hall program or leadership series that produces a self authored student at the end, but we can challenge our students to begin to see knowledge as contextual. To consider their own beliefs and where they come from and to develop an internal sense of self. It is about providing good company along this leg of a life long journey. Baxter Magolda, M.B. (2001). Making Their Own Way: Narratives Transforming Higher Education to Promote Self Development. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
-- Carrie is a Graduate Student at Northeastern and the Marketing
Coordinator for MCPA
Special Thanks to the Exec Board for 2008-2009. Without your support and dedication, I would not have had such an amazing experience as MCPA President. We accomplished some great things this year, and I know that next year’s Board will only continue to do amazing work! I love you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart. – Mary MCPA Executive Board 2008-2009 Alicia Van Neil Past-President Shelley Errington Nicholson President-Elect Catherine DesRoche Secretary Dawn A. Eades Treasurer Ryan Grant New Professional/ Graduate Student Liaison Sara Jacques Membership Coordinator Carrie Miller Marketing Coordinator Brian Salvaggio Website Coordinator Jen Casavant Member-at-Large Gregory Snoddy Member-at-Large Stacey Steinbach Member-at-Large Brooke Tempesta Member-at-Large Bryan A. Wint New Professional/ Graduate Student Liaison
Announcing the 2009-2010 MCPA Executive
Board
President: Shelley Errington Nicholson
President -Elect:
Will Cribby, Mount Ida College
Past President: Mary Wegmann, Emerson College
Membership Coordinator: Sara Jacques, Emerson College
Treasurer:
Bryan Wint, Mass Bay Community College
Secretary: Kathryn Tippo, Bentley University
Member(s) at Large:
Jen Casavant, Bentley University Sara Hummel, Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
